the economic numbers were fodder for republican presidential nominee mitt romney. at a campaign stop in springfield, virginia he said the slow growth was proof that president obama's economic policies have not worked. >> if you don't believe me why look at the price of gas and the jobs in your community and the members of your family that are struggling for good work. if you don't believe me look at the numbers that just came out in the growth of our economy. 1.3% versus russia at 4%, china at 7-8%, we are at 1.3% this is unacceptable. it is not working. i know what it takes to get things working. >> sreenivasan: 200 miles away in virginia beach, president obama acknowledged the economy is still struggling. but he also promised the crowd he'll push for an era of what he called economic patriotism. >> during campaign season you always hear a lot about patriotism. well you know what? it's time for a new economic patriotism. an economic patriotism rooted in the belief that growing our economy begins with a strong and thriving middle class. i won't pretend that getting